Book Title: MAGIC OF MOONLIGHT, book #2 in the Bostwicks of Trillium Bay series
Character Name: Trudy Hart, M.D.
How would you describe your family?
Idyllic and industrious! I was born in 1861, and grew up in Springfield, Illinois where my father is a country doctor. Both he and my mother are free thinkers who prize education and compassion above all else. My siblings and I have always been encouraged to pursue our own interests, to form our own opinions, and to not let society dictate our choices. Perhaps that’s what gave me the courage to study medicine at the University of Michigan. I was the only woman in my class, but I excelled—in spite of professors and classmates who seemed determined to see me fail. Since earning my medical degree, I’ve been working with my father at his clinic—but we’re taking some time away and spending the summer in Trillium Bay at the invitation of my aunt, Breezy VonMeisterburger. I’m looking forward to the holiday but she’s… a lot.
What is your greatest talent?
I’m an excellent physician, if I do say so myself. I take the time to really listen to my patients, unlike some of my male colleagues. But perhaps my greatest talent is my ability to remain calm during difficult situations. I might be rattled or even frightened on the inside, but I never let it show! Especially with my patients. However, no one agitates my senses faster than my pretentious Aunt Breezy. She has all the charm of a boil in need of lancing, and I struggle to maintain a good temper with her. The other day she even suggested I order some Bust Food Cream from the Mongomery Wards catalogue! She said enhancing my bosom might distract potential suitors from how very tall I am! (I am not that tall.) And besides, I’ve worked too hard at establishing myself as a physician. I’m not going to sacrifice my vocation for a husband who’ll expect me to stay home be demure—even if I have recently met a man who stimulates all my biological needs.
Significant other?
See above. Time and again, I’ve chosen medicine over matrimony. It’s 1889, and we are making scientific discoveries at a remarkable rate, (I’m looking at you, germ theory!) and yet society remains entrenched in its refusal to accept women as equals to men. Even my own progressive family finds my determination to remain unencumbered by romantic entanglements peculiar. I’m caught between two worlds. The medical community won’t fully accept me because I am a woman, yet society disregards me because I am not woman enough.
Truthfully, Alexander Bostwick is the only man I’ve ever encountered who considers my being a doctor as something to admire rather than something to be fixed, but even if I were to consider him as a prospective husband, he has some unusual troubles. Alex is lamenting the recent and unexpected death of his wife. While half of Chicago feels sorry for him, the other half (the gossipy half) says he married and murdered her for her fortune. She was a Carnegie, after all. Then, of course, there’s the little matter of her (possibly) haunting him. Personally, I think someone is playing a cruel prank, but as the summer days pass, I’m starting to wonder if maybe there is something supernatural at play. I’ve agreed to help him solve this mystery… and if our long, intimate conversations happen to lead to kisses… well, I’m a modern woman. I can kiss someone without having to marry them!
Do you have any enemies?
Not enemies, per se, but definitely adversaries. The Imperial Hotel’s Dr. Prescott is a blustering blowfish, Aunt Breezy has made it her mission to annoy me at every turn, my brother (who is also a physician) thinks my medical degree is somehow inferior to his. And then there’s Alex’s wife. Yes, she’s deceased but someone—or something—is taunting him, and Madame Moyen, a well-renowned psychic medium staying at the hotel, seems to think I may be the next target.
How do you feel about the place where you are now?
The Imperial Hotel is the most opulent resort I have ever visited. Aunt Breezy told us it was a majestic marvel surrounded by the panoramic vista of Trillium Bay and although she is prone to puffery, in this instance, she’s not exaggerating. It’s ostentatious in every way. I don’t mind the glamour, but I do feel a little awkward surrounded by such luxury, not to mention the emotional strain of trying to navigate the rules and protocols of life among Chicago’s most privileged elite. My parents won’t be arriving for another month and in the meantime, I’m responsible for my siblings. Lucy is my dearest sister and confidante, but Coco’s fascination with every strapping young man who wanders across her path, Asher’s boyishly clumsy exuberance, and Poppy’s childish willfulness are keeping me on my toes.
Do you have children, pets, both, or neither?
Poppy has a cat. A cat that she was supposed to leave at home in the care of our very capable housekeeper but instead, Poppy stuffed Chester VonWhiskerton into a carpet bag and snuck him onto our steamship so that he, too, might enjoy a summer holiday! The poor thing had nearly asphyxiated by the time I discovered him. There’s a pet psychic staying at the Imperial Hotel. What a tale he’ll have to share with her!
What do you do to entertain yourself or have fun?
I adore solving riddles and puzzles of any sort, which is partly why I agreed to assist Alexander Bostwick uncover the mystery of his alleged hauntings. Deciphering just how his deceased wife’s belongings are showing up in peculiar places for him to find has me quite occupied. Whether it’s the work of a human hand, or a spectral one, I’m determined to find the answer. Of course, the other reason I agreed to help him is because he’s tall, dark, and damnably handsome. I may have sworn off marriage, but the physician in me can still appreciate a fine physique and well-toned musculature. It’s part of my job.
What is your greatest personal failing, in your view?
Something I’ve learned about myself lately is that I excel at holding a grudge. I hadn’t seen Alexander Bostwick in fifteen years—not since we were children—but I’ve carried resentment toward him for all that time because of something he did when he was ten years old. He hurt my feelings and embarrassed me. I guess it’s time I let that go. Especially since I now know him to be generous and kind. And funny. And handsome. And tall. And… well, you get the idea.
What keeps you awake at night?
See above! Thoughts of Alex have been keeping me awake! As a doctor, I understand all the basic biological factors of sexual attraction. But being attracted to him is incredibly inconvenient. And wonderful. But also… inconvenient.
What is the most pressing problem you have at the moment?
Well, I’ve spent my entire adult life committed to medicine, convincing myself I cannot be both a good wife and a dedicated physician—not to mention a loving mother and a physician—but now I find myself questioning all my past beliefs while falling for a man who believes he’s being haunted by his dead wife. And he just may be. I guess we’ll just have to figure this all out… together. Because now that we’ve found each other, I’m not sure either of us will be ready to say goodbye when the summer ends.
The Bostwicks of Trillium Bay #2
From USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon bestselling author comes the next book in her witty, whimsical, wonderful gilded age series: The Bostwicks of Trillium Bay.
Trillium Bay, 1889 Alexander Bostwick doesn’t believe in ghosts - but the unexpected death of his bride has him feeling haunted. The lingering scent of her perfume – along with her personal possessions popping up in the most peculiar places – has him worried he’s lost his senses as well as his wife. With half of Chicago feeling sorry for him, and the other half suspecting he had a hand in her demise, Alex escapes to Trillium Bay, hoping peace and quiet might ease his troubled mind.
Progressive, pragmatic, Gertrude Hart has a medical degree from the University of Michigan but establishing herself as a capable physician has proven more arduous than passing her final exams. Her mother thinks a summer at the Imperial Hotel will convince Trudy it’s time to relinquish medicine for matrimony – but Trudy isn’t interested in marriage and intends to steer any suitable suitors toward her prettier, more marriage-minded sisters – and away from herself.
Her strategy seems fool proof…
Until Alexander Bostwick captures her sister’s attention. Rumors swirl around the handsome, enigmatic widower, so before he can break her sister’s heart – or worse – Trudy vows to learn the truth by any means necessary. But her ploy to gain his trust has unexpected consequences. When Alex confides he doesn’t want a new wife – he wants to stop being pestered by the old one – Trudy decides to help, and together they work to unravel the mystery behind the spectral shenanigans that have followed him to Trillium Bay. Late-night encounters, counsel from self-serving mediums, and a séance gone horribly awry provide Alex and Trudy with some answers – but it’s the magic of moonlight which leads them to the most important discovery of all – each other.
Romance Historical [Oliver-Heber Books, On Sale: December 17, 2024, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781648397790 / ]
USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon Publishing bestselling author Tracy Brogan writes happily ever after stories full of laughter and love. A three-time recipient of the Amazon Publishing Diamond award, a three-time finalist of the RWA® RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction, and a winner of the Booksellers Best award, Brogan’s books, including both the Bell Harbor and Trillium Bay series, feature re-imagined versions of her favorite Michigan locations and have been translated into more than a dozen languages worldwide. Although best known for her laugh-out-loud contemporary romantic comedies, she’s currently at work on several historical projects including a gilded age series – The Bostwicks of Trillium Bay – the long-awaited sequel to Highland Surrender, and a dual-timeline rom-com that just may include ghosts. (Psst… it totally has ghosts.)
No comments posted.
© 2003-2025 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy